Opinions on the Marcinkiewicz N4 and the Loud LM-10

Tubainsauga · Post by **Tubainsauga** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:53 pm

Currently using a PT-50 and I'm looking for something to help clean up the articulation. Opinions, thoughts, etc?

Edit: Playing on a YCB-822, Music major (3rd year performance), lots of playing (Wind ensemble, brass band, brass choir, orchestra, tuba quartet 2nd part). The problem with my articulation is it often seems to soft. Likewise, any recommendations to help clean it up would be good. (I've been working on the Bobo book and Arban's so far this summer)

Tubainsauga · Post by **Tubainsauga** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:55 pm

Sorry, should've included more info.

ZNC Dandy · Post by **ZNC Dandy** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:16 am

In my experiance, they Marc. N4 is a fabulous all around mouthpiece. It pretty much eliminates the "round brown sound" which make me very happy. Nothing worse than a big nebulous sounding tuba. I have yet to try an LM-10, but its going to get tried here in the next coupkle weeks or so along with the LM-12.

Tubainsauga · Post by **Tubainsauga** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:21 am

Thanks for the responses thus far. In terms of the PT-50 I'm currently using, I like it overall. The sound is quite nice, articulation for the most part is good and it plays quite evenly. Though at very low dynamics, I simply can't articulate clear enough for at least one conductor. For those who know the piece, we were playing Lt. Kije and he got the orchestra to play very softly and very short at times and I was simply not able to match and he kind of chewed me out for it. Anyways, I'm not sure I want to replace my PT-50, but perhaps a mouthpiece that assists in cleaner articulations more would be a help.

Also, I'm thinking I want a slightly (very slight) increase in the inside diameter of the rim to help with the Low Eflat to pedal C range without too much of a shift.

jtuba · Post by **jtuba** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:33 am

You're playing a YCB 822? The problem isn't the mouthpice, it's the horn. I had the same problem in grad school with this horn. I put an AGR on it and it helped a bit. I liked the sound of the horn, but couldn't get clean articulations.

JHardisk · Post by **JHardisk** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:47 am

Tubainsauga wrote:Thanks for the responses thus far. In terms of the PT-50 I'm currently using, I like it overall. The sound is quite nice, articulation for the most part is good and it plays quite evenly. Though at very low dynamics, I simply can't articulate clear enough for at least one conductor. For those who know the piece, we were playing Lt. Kije and he got the orchestra to play very softly and very short at times and I was simply not able to match and he kind of chewed me out for it. Anyways, I'm not sure I want to replace my PT-50, but perhaps a mouthpiece that assists in cleaner articulations more would be a help.

Also, I'm thinking I want a slightly (very slight) increase in the inside diameter of the rim to help with the Low Eflat to pedal C range without too much of a shift.

Something that is often overlooked is beyond the mouthpiece...

Have you tried playing your arban excercises religiously for a month? Go through the Studies in Rhythm and Articulation (1-38) at half speed in 2 octaves with a clear single tongue at varied dynamics. Day by day, bump up the tempo a notch. Don't settle for anything less than every note being near perfect. (This excercise will take you a while) You'll tongue as clear as you could ever wish for. Then, if it doesn't work.. look for a new mouthpiece.

Too many people are looking for a quick fix with equipment. What happened to hitting the practice room and working it out?

Tubaryan12 · Post by **Tubaryan12** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 11:50 pm

The Marcinkiewicz N4 is the only mouthpiece I have ever owned, sold, and wished I still had.

Like JHardisk said..it was me and not the mouthpiece. If you like a mouthpiece that large in I.D. you will love it. The only negative that I had with it is that it made me play sharper than I normally do, but once again, that's me and not the mouthpiece.